Espanyol rallies to top Valencia

Barcelona, Spain – Espanyol scored three unanswered goals to secure a 3-1 home win over Valencia on Saturday, giving the club its first victory of the campaign.

The visitors jumped out to a 1-0 lead 10 minutes into the contest when Jonas brought a ball down near the edge of the penalty area and laid it off to Helder Postiga, who beat goalkeeper Francisco Casilla.

David Lopez had Espanyol back on level terms in the 31st when he shook free of his man to head home Simao's corner kick at the near post.

Espanyol seized the lead a few minutes after the restart from another set piece, this time with Juan Rafael Fuentes providing the cross and Christian Stuani getting on the other end to nod the ball home.

Valencia struggled to mount any consistent offense after that, and substitute Thievy Bifouma put the result beyond reach in the 89th when he lashed a ball inside the far post after being set up by Manu Lanzarote.

Elche 1, Real Sociedad 1

Valencia, Spain - Carlos Vela rescued a point for Real Sociedad on Saturday with a 74th-minute goal to help his side to a 1-1 draw at Elche.

The hosts grabbed the lead inside of three minutes when a low cross from Edu Albacar made its way through traffic and found Ferran Corominas at the back post, where he swept it home from close range.

After a sluggish first half Sociedad picked up the pace following the break and bagged the equalizer in the 74th with substitute Xabi Prieto's cross being redirected inside the far post by Vela.

The former Arsenal man then nearly snatched a winner in the last 10 minutes, but he saw his 25-yard effort strike the crossbar.

Villarreal 2, Valladolid 1

Villarreal, Spain - Villarreal made it two wins from its first two games on Saturday as Cani scored in the 83rd minute to complete a 2-1 comeback win for the Yellow Submarine against Valladolid at El Madrigal.

It took Javi Guerra just four minutes to fire Valladolid ahead after he latched on to a through ball from Zakarya Bergdich and slotted his shot past goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.

The hosts leveled the contest from the penalty spot in the 38th when Jaume Costa drew a foul inside the penalty area, allowing Giovani dos Santos to convert the subsequent spot kick.

Villarreal was on the front foot for much of the match, but it wasn't until the 83rd minute that Cani separated the sides with a shot from 20 yards that found its way into upper right corner.